Study Abroad and Domestic Study Away

ISEP International Cultural Studies at Aalborg University

Aalborg University is Denmark’s youngest, most innovative, and most internationalized university with an approach to teaching that is interdisciplinary and project-oriented. International Cultural Studies, Studies in Psychology, International Management, The Danish/Scandinavian Welfare State in Comparative Perspective are taught in English and offer a large number of courses at undergraduate level.

This program would be suitable for students that are ready to be abroad, but would still like some of the academic services that a U.S. college provides. It is a good choice for someone that is a world traveler OR has never left their hometown.

Learn more about Aalborg University here! Read the ISEP Country Handbook to learn more about visa requirements, educational system, and culture.

Program Type

Exchange

Locations

Aalborg, Denmark

Languages of Instruction

English

Program Dates

Fall 2018: Late August to February

Spring 2019: February to June

Most oral exams are held before December 23 or can normally be arranged for international guest students by that date.

However, a few oral exams will be scheduled for January. Where this applies, the course information will include a note pointing out that the oral exam for that particular course will be scheduled in January. Consequently, it is possible to select courses enabling the student to return home by Christmas, but course options will be slightly reduced.

All dates are tentative and may change. ISEP will alert all accepted students of final dates.

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program

Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have a minimum of sophomore status before participation.

At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date.

Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods

Minimum GPA of 2.75.

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost.

The chance of placement for Exchange is generally limited for Aalborg.

Location

Situated in the northern part of the Jutland peninsula, Aalborg is the fourth largest city in Denmark. The city is situated on the narrowest stretch of the picturesque Limfjord; extensive beaches and other impressive scenery are within easy reach. Aalborg, an old historic city, received its municipal charter in 1342; many old buildings still function as natural elements in the townscape. For many years, Rebild Bakker, a beautiful hilly area just south of Aalborg, has been the venue for the national celebration of links with America by Danes and Danish-Americans. The Danish Emigration Archives are housed in Aalborg.

The main university campus is situated in the southeastern part of the city, approximately five kilometers from the city center. In the city center, there is an excellent Student House. The city has fine connections with Copenhagen (plane, bus, rail), as well as with Norway, Sweden (Gothenburg is just 3 hours away by high-speed ferry), and continental Europe.

Academics

The city of Aalborg is home to Denmark’s most innovative and internationalized university. Programs taught in English include international cultural studies and communication, media studies, psychology, Danish studies, international management, architecture and design, art and technology and radiology. Excellent graduate engineering programs are offered in English.

PROGRAMS

Courses in the Faculty of Humanities are open to ISEP exchange students.

ACADEMIC NOTES

Students typically enroll in 6-7 classes per term which average to 12-14 hours in class per week. A term runs for 8-10 weeks followed by supervised project work and exams.

COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH

The Faculty of Humanities offers the following programs: Culture, Communication and Globalization (CCG), and International Cultural Studies. The International Cultural Studies program is popular with undergraduate students studying international relations, literature, and political science http://www.hum.aau.dk/ics/.

LANGUAGE NOTES

Language Courses: An intensive Danish language course is offered each semester, starting early September and early February. The course lasts approximately eight weeks and aims to enable foreign students to handle some everyday communication situations.

Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm. Professors are often more formal than those in the United States.

All courses/modules may have prerequisites. Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it. Be aware of these limitations.

Please review country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette.

Course Approvals

Check to see if your department has pre-approved courseshere. If not, don’t worry. You can work with your advisor.

Experiential Opportunities

Some international students choose to work as volunteers at the Students’ House (Students’ Union) in downtown Aalborg, for instance staffing the café.

Student Life

PROFILE

Aalborg University (AAU) was inaugurated in 1974 as the fifth multi-faculty university in Denmark. The defining elements of Aalborg University are internationalization, close cooperation with the surrounding society, the advanced use of the latest information technology, and the method of teaching, which is characterized by interdisciplinarity, problem-centered and project-organized studies, and interaction of theory and practice through close cooperation with institutions and companies outside the university. A key concern of the university is to strengthen the conversion of research results into increased practical application in Danish products and production processes. Total enrollment: more than 12,000 students including more than 1,000 international students.

ORIENTATION

The orientation program includes an introduction to the city of Aalborg and the university, guided walks, and more. The program includes events organized during the first couple of weeks.

ARRIVAL DETAILS
Pickup will be arranged at Aalborg Airport or at the train/bus station for students who arrive on the official arrival day.

Housing and Meals

ISEP students are housed in student residence halls or in private accommodation. A stipend is provided to cover the cost of meals.

Financial Information

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee.The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange program includes orientation, on-site director, college fees, housing and a stipend to cover the equivalent of 19/meals per week.

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 semester:

Budget Item

Amount

Lake Forest College Tuition

$23,160

Program fee (estimated)

Note: Spring may have added cost

$5,295

College Deposit (credit)

($250)

Total Expected Billed by Lake Forest College

$28,705

ISEP Fee due on Stage 2 Application

$325

College Deposit due on Acceptance (non-refundable, but shows as credit on bill for off-campus term)

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate, nor fees to enroll in courses at partner institutions, and will depend on your course registration choices.